Rose plant 78-5111--Petticoat

ABSTRACT

A miniature rose variety having a compact, spreading plant; an abundance of small, pink-edged white blooms with approximately 90 petals; and good mildew resistance.

This present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the miniature class which was originated by me by crossing thevariety Bon Bon, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,555, with the variety LemonDelight, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,447.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietycombining the vigor and plant habit of Bon Bon with the dwarfcharacteristic of Lemon Delight. This objective was substantiallyachieved along with other desirable improvements as evidenced by thefollowing unique combination of characteristics which are outstanding inthe new variety and which distinguish it from its parents as well asfrom all other varieties of which I am aware:

1. A compact, spreading plant reaching 30 cm. in height.

2. Abundance of small, pink edged, white blooms, having approximately 90petals.

3. Good mildew resistance.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by cuttings, as performed atWasco, Calif., shows that the foregoing characteristics and distinctionscome true to form and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor in terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart except where ordinary dictionary significance of color isindicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Bon Bon, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,555.

Pollen parent.--Lemon Delight, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,447.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrid.

Commercial.--Miniature.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown at Irvine, Calif. during August.

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Bud:

Size.--1 cm. when petals start to unfurl.

Form.--Blunt top.

Color.--When sepals first divide, white. When half blown; upper side ofpetals mostly white with petal edges irregularly tinted with pink 55C;lower side of petals mostly white, with petal edges tinted pink 55C verymuch the same as upper side.

Sepals.--Color: Outer surface Green 138B, some stipitate glands on edgesand surface. Three appendaged sepals lightly appendaged; twounappendaged sepals hairy edged.

Receptacle.--Color: Green 138B. Shape: Funnel. Size: Average. Surface:Smooth.

Peduncle.--Length: Short. Surface: Glandular. Color: Light green.Strength: Stiff, erect.

Opening.--Petals fold outward with slight recurving.

Bloom:

Size.--Small. Average open size is 3 to 31/2 cm.

Borne.--In clusters, rounded.

Stems.--Short, strong.

Form.--When first open, flat. Permanence: Retains its form to the end;outer petal edges slightly curled.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions: 90-95.

Color.--Center of flower: Upper side of petals white with petal edgestinted pink 55C; reverse side of petals white with petal edges tintedpink 55C; base of petals pale yellow. General tonality from a distance,white with pink edges.

Variegations.--None.

Discoloration.--General tonality at end of first day, none; third day,petal edges sometimes darker.

Fragrance.--None.

Petals:

Texture.--Thin.

Shape.--Outer petals: oval, pointed. Center petals: long, narrow.

Form.--Tips slightly recurved.

Arrangement.--Imbricated. Petaloids in center, few.

Persistence.--Drop off cleanly.

Lastingness.--On the plant, very long. As cut flower, very long.

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Small, few. Color: Yellow. Arrangement: Regular around styles;mixed with petaloids; some stamens coalesced with petaloids.

Filaments.--Color: White.

Pollen.--Lemon yellow.

Styles.--Color: Greenish.

Stigmas.--Color: White.

PLANT

Form: Bush.

Growth: Vigorous, dwarf, compact, usually reaching only 30 cm. inheight, spreading to 50 cm. in width.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: usually 7.

Size.--Small.

Quantity.--Abundant.

Color.--New foliage: green. Old foliage: green.

Leaflets:

Shape.--Oval pointed.

Texture.--Upper side: leathery.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single, small.

Petiole.--Rachis: Color: Green. Underside: Prickles.

Stipules.--Long.

Disease resistance.--Very resistant to mildew under normal growingconditions at Irvine, Calif.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Light green. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks from base, many. On laterals from stalk, many.

Form.--Narrow base, hooked downward.

Color when young.--Light green and red.

Position.--Irregular.

Small prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks, none. On laterals, none.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniatureclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly as to novelty by the unique combination of its compactplant, mildew resistant foliage, pink edged white, very double flowers.